SFC Pope was born in Providence , Rhode Island on March 1, 1969.  SFC Pope enlisted in the Army Reserve on April 15, 1986 as an Infantryman.  After completing split option training for Infantry at Fort Benning , Georgia he enlisted in the Army on February 1, 1988 and was assigned to 2^nd BN 187^th Infantry (IN) FT. Campbell , KY.

His follow on assignments include: 2^nd BN 4^th IN Neu Ulm, Germany , 42^nd Medical Company Frankfurt, Germany, 5^th BN 101^st Aviation Regiment FT. Campbell, KY, 2^nd BN 27^th IN Schofield Barracks, Hawaii , 2^nd BN 54^th IN FT. Benning, GA, 2^nd BN 1^st IN FT Wainwright, AK.  SFC Pope also served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm with 42^nd Medical Company as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom III and IV with the 172^nd Stryker Brigade.  SFC Pope is currently serving as a Military Instructor at the University of Maine , Army ROTC.  His previous duty positions include: Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Grenadier, Machine Gunner, Dragon Gunner, Radio/Telephone Operator, Ambulance Driver, Tactical Transport Helicopter Door Gunner, Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Assistant Operations Sergeant, and Battle Captain.

He has completed the Battle Staff NCO course, Equal Opportunity Leaders course, Northern Warfare Leaders course, Infantry Advanced NCO course, Airborne course, NBC Defense course, Combat Lifesaver course, Drill Sergeant course, Infantry Basic NCO course, Master Fitness Trainer course, MOUT Leaders course, Warrior Leaders course and the Air Assault course.

His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Valorous Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Liberation of Kuwait Medals, Multi National Forces of Observers Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbons, NCO Professional Development Ribbons, and the Army Service Ribbon.